They met when Doreen paid a visit to North Waltham aged 19 with a friend and met Roger while out for a walk.

He gave Doreen his address and after exchanging letters and meeting up again in Portsmouth, they became an item, making a special effort to see each other every week before they wed.

The pair worked together as independent newsagents for nearly 40 years, getting up at 3am most days to deliver papers, including The Gazette, and organising paper rounds in an area including Oakley and Wootton St Lawrence.

Roger said: “Any couple who say they never argue are lying. You can’t be with someone for so long and never have an argument.”

Doreen, 81, agreed, adding: “Of course we argued, but we always made up. One of you always has to say sorry and make it up.”

The couple said work dominated their lives for many of their years together. They didn’t go abroad until they retired in their 60s.

The couple, who have two daughters and a son and two grandchildren, celebrated their anniversary on Sunday with a lunch out with their family.